Have you ever had a time when you’ve been hurt and felt angry toward someone? Perhaps they said something mean and hurtful or did something thoughtlessly that made you feel frustrated and angry.
We have all heard that the best thing to do in these situations is to forgive whenever you have these experiences.
Most of us find it difficult to forgive in these situations, even when we know it is the right thing to do. It is much easier just to play the Blame Game! And those feelings of self-righteousness don’t help… The next time you find yourself in this situation, here are 6 reasons that forgiveness will actually help you far more than holding on to your anger and pain
When you hold onto those hurt feelings, you are the one that is harmed.
The poison that comes from those negative emotions can color everything you do! There’s an old saying about poison damaging the vessel in which it’s found and that saying applies here. The other person may not even realize that he or she has done anything, or they may not view it in the same light that you are.
Forgiving allows you to let go of the emotional baggage that is weighing you down.
Just by saying, “I forgive you” to someone, you instantly feel freer. All of that negative energy that you have been carrying around can be released, allowing you to feel happiness again.
Grudges tend to be something that grow and grow over time.
Grudges act like cancer cells, taking over your entire existence. While you may say to yourself, “I am just going to pretend that this person doesn’t exist and they have never hurt me,” you’ll soon find that to be impossible. The more you try not to think about it the more it is in your mind. Just like when someone tells you NOT to think of a purple cow – what picture just popped into your head? If the person that wronged you is in your social circle, you may find yourself beginning to refuse invitations just so that you don’t run into him/her. Now they are changing your life!
You can decide to be the “bigger” person.
You probably have grown up thinking that forgiveness is the “right” thing to do, whether it is for religious or moral reasons. If you ignore that voice inside of you that is telling you to forgive, you can add a helping of guilt to your already negative emotions! Listen to that voice.
Forgiveness bears many fruits.
By forgiving this person, it may show them that their behavior was unkind and they may change for the better! Even if it doesn’t directly impact him/her, though, it is a wonderful example to show the world. Others may decide to forgive more as well after watching you.
Forgiveness will lower blood pressure.
There are several studies that show that this is true, such as the Change of Heart study on PUBMED.
When you decide to live a more conscious existence, you may have more room to forgive those who upset you. Realizing that forgiveness is in your best interest and the best interest of the other individual involved, you can move forward and re-discover a bright future.
If you still have any doubts about how powerful forgiveness is, listen to this short dialog between Oprah Winfrey and Marianne Williamson, from Super Soul Sunday.
Try this advice when you feel someone has wronged you – pray for their happiness (or intend to send them happiness) for 30 days. Stand by for what might happen next!